Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey-Chapter 402: The Selection [10]

'Good, they don't know where I am exactly… but they know I'm here.'

That was enough.

She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by.

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn brought out her Art.

Suddenly she leaped into sky from her hiding spot.

Swooosh—!

Instantly her opponent become aware as they prepare for their own attack.

But they were late, too late in fact.

Leaping five meters into the sky, an arrow knocked into her bow. She released the string, and the arrow shot forward with the speed of lightning.

Thunderclaps echoed around the arrow's path as it flew directly towards the their head.

CRKCL-

The arrow struck its target with devastating force.

"Ugh!"

"Ahhh!"

The spear user somehow managed to bear the impact of the thunder arrow but it comes with havey price, His body was in an agony as it electricity runs through his body, breaking him from inside.

The sword user was not so lucky as his body shot backward from impact, mouthful blood left his mouth as the result of the attack.

Things were looking bad but not Evelyn it seems.

After the attack stopped, the spear user dropped to the ground as he took very deep breath.

Stopping that attack was not easy at all.

It comes with price.

Staring at Evelyn in the distance, the spear user, Yuri Red couldn't help but say.

"Damn, you're just as strong as the rumors say"

Softly landing on the ground, Evelyn coldly glanced at the two individuals before her.

…skilled.

That's the first thought that came into Evelyn mind as she stared at the two of them.

Although the clash had only lasted for a brief moment, from the way they coordinated and how they managed to quickly react to her arrows, the duo was definitely not simple.

Even if they had taken some damage from the arrow of the Evelyn.

They still manage to repeal most of the damge, any other cadets would have been knocked out in cold after her attack.

...But they managed to survive and hd not taken most of damage.

So Evelyn doesn't have choice but to say that they're skilled one.

Unbothered by Evelyn's

unresponsiveness, staring at the youth next to him that wore small-framed glasses and had short blonde hair, Yuri moved forward as he once again thrust his spear towards Evelyn.

"Joe cover me"

Joe, who was still recovering from aftermrath of the attack, barely nodded at Yuri as he redy himself.

Thereafter, synchronizing with Yuri, the other youth called Joe leaped forward and quickly arrived beside Evelyn.

-Kacha!

With Yuri spear aimed at Evelyn face, Joe

followed up by slashing towards her waist.

Like this, Evelyn suddenly found herself in a disadvantageous situation as the flow of the battle was currently in the duo's hands.

Although she was avoiding most of the attacks coming from the duo thanks to her flexibility and agility, from time to time, she would use the frame of her bow to defend against some of the incoming attacks resulting in the loud clashes of metal echoing throughout the area.

-Clang! -Clang!

Evelyn grit her teeth as she barely dodged Yuri's next thrust, feeling the air ripple past her cheek. These two were relentless. Even though she had landed a solid hit earlier, they had adapted quickly and were pressing her harder than expected.

'They're used to fighting together… This is annoying.'

Her mind worked fast, analyzing their movements. Yuri was aggressive, always aiming to push her back with overwhelming spear thrusts, while Joe provided cover, blocking off any escape routes.

If this continued, she would eventually get caught.

'Not happening.'

With a swift motion, Evelyn twisted her body, avoiding a downward slash from Joe, and leaped backward to gain some distance.

Joe smirked. "Running away?"

Evelyn didn't answer. Instead, she raised her bow, a faint smile playing on her lips.

—Crackle!

A low hum reverberated through the air as blue sparks began to dance along the surface of her arrow. The electricity grew stronger, coiling around the projectile like a living snake.

Joe and Yuri instantly tensed.

'Tsk, here it comes again!' Yuri cursed inwardly.

The last attack had nearly fried his nerves, and if another direct hit landed, he wasn't sure he'd be able to move properly.

Evelyn noticed their hesitation.

'They're wary now. Good.'

This was the opening she needed.

Instead of immediately firing, she pulled the bowstring further, allowing the energy to build up, making the attack appear more dangerous than it actually was.

Just as she expected—

Yuri gritted his teeth. "Joe, fall back!"

Joe hesitated for a split second but obeyed, retreating a few steps.

That was her cue.

—Swoosh!

Evelyn suddenly shifted her aim and fired—not at them, but at the ground near Joe's feet.

-Boom!

The moment the arrow made contact, an explosion of electricity surged out, momentarily blinding both opponents.

"Shit—!"

Taking advantage of the opening, Evelyn dashed forward.

Her body moved like a blur, closing the gap between her and Yuri before he could fully recover.

With precision, she swung her bow like a staff, striking the side of his spear to throw off his balance.

—Crack!

Then, before he could react, she flipped the bow in her grip and drove its reinforced bottom straight into his stomach.

"Ugh!" Yuri gasped, stumbling backward as the air was knocked out of him.

But Evelyn wasn't done.

In one fluid motion, she turned toward Joe, who was still disoriented from the electric blast, and delivered a swift roundhouse kick to his side.

—Thud!

Joe's body lurched sideways, and before he could stabilize, Evelyn grabbed the edge of his collar and yanked him forward—right into a knee strike.

"Gah—!"

Joe crumpled to the ground, dazed.

Silence followed.

But not for too long.

Swoosh!!!

—Crackle!

Next moment, Yuri dash towards Evelyn, as he swing his spear horizontally.

Evelyn who was still surprised from sudden attack from Yuri had no choice but to block to the attack in hurry.

"I'm not going to down this easily, do you understand?"

Yuri barcked as let those words left from his mouth.

Evelyn in response, opened her mouth first time in entire battle.

"And neither am I."